Fátima Moura:

“Let us try to use language that children and young people can understand so we can effectively communicate with them”

The well-known Spiritist writer shares her views on
children’s Spiritist literature

	Fátima Moura (photo) is a well-known writer and Spiritist speaker from Rio de Janeiro. She was born in a Spiritist family and has worked since 1991 as a volunteer at the Léon Dennis Spiritist Centre. In this interview she talks about her experience as a writer of books for young Spiritists:
Tell us a bit about your links with Spiritism and the work you do within the Spiritist Movement.

I had the opportunity and fortune of being born in a Spiritist home. I am a writer and also a public speaker and healer, working for many years in our departments of psychography (or automatic writing) and disobsession.  

How did you begin Spiritist books? 

I have always enjoyed writing. Since I was nine I was scribbling my own stories and plays that I did not know would one day end up being published. In 1989, I met the writer, Cléo Mello, during a course a showed her my stories. She liked them so much that she introduced me to the president of the Léon Dennis Spiritist Centre, Altivo Pamphiro. That is how it all began. I began writing for the Centre and became the coordinator of their Publishing Department, from 1991 to 2000. We published 24 works in total. 

Where do you get the ideas for your books? 

I am extremely curious and I pay lots of attention to detail. I always get some inspiration from events that happen around me, but most of the ideas and themes come really from the Spiritual Benefactors. Through intuition, they tell me such or such idea will help a particular group of people, according to the needs of the moment. 

What is in your opinion the main difference between any book for young people and a Spiritist public aimed at the same age group? 

A message from the Spiriti, Emmanuel, written by the medium, Chico Xavier, and published in April 1963 says: “Any edifying book is a liberating door. The Spiritist book, however, emancipates the soul, touching the foundations of life.” One brings knowledge and beauty. The other one, transform lives and plants new seeds. 

Do you thing Spiritist books for young people should deal with the fundamental issues of the Teachings, such as mediumship and reincarnation? 

Absolutely! Many children show their mediumship from a very young age and need to learn and understand what is going on with them. Their parents also need to know what is happening. I have published a book, “Criança Quer Saber” (“Children Want to Know”), in which I deal with the 15 most common questions from children on Spiritism. I deal with the themes of mediumship and reincarnation in a playful and engaging way. The feedback from most of the children, who send me emails, is very positive. 

Do you have a shortage of new titles catering for young Spiritists? 

There is a great shortage of good books for those readers. I have just published a book entitled “O Jovem Quer Respostas” (“Young People Want Answers”), which again answers to 15 common questions from teenagers and young people. The main concerns are sexuality, dating and shyness. If you were able to captivate that public and engage young people in good literature, Harry Potter and his friends of the School of Wizardry as well as reality show The Hunger Games would go back to its place of origin: the world of fantasy. Parents need time to check the type of books their children are reading. 

What are the characteristics needed in a Spiritist book to attract young readers? 

Whether a book has a Spiritist theme or not, to be a good book it must be truthful. The great Brazilian writer, Cecilia Meireles, who was not Spiritist but throughout her life wrote for children, sent a message from the Spirit World through the medium, Rita Folker. She said: “They ask me what would be the main feature of all the artistic production for children. Today, I understand it is sincerity. Be it sincerity in the dilemmas of kings, split between holding on to power and serving, be it the sincerity of the prisoners or frogs who become princes. What should never be lacking in our words and acts towards children is the truth. It may be the truth of our fears and doubts, but one cannot hide away wisdom and laugh about love. So, when you go out looking for young souls to sow flower seeds, pick only the best seeds.” I make mine the words of Cecília Meireles. 

The classic Spiritist book by Emmanuel, written by Chico Xavier, “Paul and Stephen” has been published recently in a modified edition for young people. The classic works of non-Spiritist Brazilian writers have also been published in “young-friendly” versions. What do you make of that? 

I think it is a very good idea. In order to reach human beings at their different levels of education, we need to use the appropriate language for each age group. The publishing market is constantly changing. Let us try to use language that children and young people can understand so we can effectively communicate with them. 

What is your advice to those who have plans to write books for children and teenagers? 

Study really hard. Learn about the world of children and young people in general, research, work hard on it but, above all, pray with your hearts, trusting the providence of Our Father. Very often, good workers despair when facing problems created by their own desperation or by their lack of preparation. That is just a reminder that we must always be ready to learn new things that will enable us carry out the tasks assigned to us. Peace to everyone!